Antonio Smith gets a Christmas bonus from league

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith pleaded self-defense, when the league fined him $21,000 for kicking Dolphins guard Richie Incognito in the opener.

While he wasn’t completely vindicated, he did get a bit of a break, as the league reduced his fine to $11,000 upon appeal.

“It always feels good to get back some Christmas present money and some college fund money,” Smith said, via Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle. “I’m happy about that but it’s still bittersweet because I felt like at least he should have got fined something. . . .

“Very surprised. I must be getting on their good side. I gotta keep doing what I’m doing, stay on their good side so they give me back some more money.”

Incognito was not fined for the play, though Smith said the Dolphins guard was trying to break his ankle.